Christmas Tour of Homes

 

So, I've started following several blogs that I have realized lots of other people follow. I never knew blogging was so popular. How do you become so popular in the blog world anyway?? Anyway, I love to see all of these different ladies' blogs and all of their inspiring thoughts. I just love that God created us all so different, yet so much alike! 

Speaking of "blogging," Kelly's Korner and The Nester do a "Christmas Tour of Homes" every year and lots and lots of people blog about their Christmas decorations. Let me just say that I have loved looking through all of these different links---so many ideas!!! Each house is decorated so different, and it shows so many personalities. So, I decided to join the fun! ; D

This is my second year in my own place, so my decorations are building every year. Hobby Lobby and stores a-like are really my weakness, because I love to decorate! 

This is the small tree in the living room. I really don't have a large living room, and it's really not the ideal place for it because it blocks a view of the T.V. from one angle, but I didn't care because one of my favorite parts of Christmas is to turn the Christmas lights on while I watch T.V. And that wouldn't be possible if the tree wasn't in the living room! Anyway, I got the idea of the art mesh going vertical from Christmas Jubilee, and I think it turned out well! It's much easier to work with when you realize that it's not fragile! 

 

Okay, so I know this is a random picture, but I'm really obsessed with glass jars. Especially apothecary jars. I am always thinking of a new place that I can place a jar with some random objects in it. Pottery Barn has tons of gorgeous jars. 

This is the arrangement in my living room. I wouldn't call it an arrangement, because it's really a bunch of twigs shoved together. I'm not really happy with it, but it is what it is. I've taken it apart 3 times and tried to make it look like what I was trying to accomplish, and each time it looked worse. So, I've given up. I do love my lighted twigs from Kirklands. They stay in that vase year round (with different flowers, of course!). 

This is my second tree. I put it in the breakfast "nook" area. This thing is massive, and there are clearly not enough ornaments on it. I'm pretty sure I need a thousand more. However, it fits the space and it's really pretty when it's lit. That bow at the top is the result of a lot of frustration of trying to get that mesh wrapped around that fat tree. I kind of like the bow! I'm on the look-out for some gold/brown poinsettias to shove in the gaps. If I find some, I'll post an updated pic.

I love this snowman. I'm pretty sure this was my first Christmas decoration that I bought for the first Christmas in my apartment. It's like a silvery-gold glitter color. I love that color. The vase beside it has gold and brown tall twigs that go up really high but I really wanted to show this snow-man. This is in my kitchen.

And here is another jar. On the kitchen counter.  

This is my dining room table. I'm trying to find a table cloth that adds the perfect touch. (I'm aware that Christmas is next week, lol!) Anyway, I made this wreath this year and I thought it was too pretty to put outside where no-one would see it. So, here it is. This is right when you walk in my door, so it is the first thing people see. It's different, but I like it! 

And this is from my dining room going into my kitchen. This garland did NOT want to stay up on the hooks for the life of me. After I put it up, I realized that I had attached the mesh to the WRONG garland without the lights and I was quite irritated. However, I spent so much time begging for it to stay, that I didn't want to go through the whole process again with a heavier strand of garland. So, this is it. Sorry about the messy counter in the background! Ha! 

And that's it! There are a few more things floating around here, but those are the main decorations. 

Merry Christmas!

Bible Study Buddies

Over the past few months, I have been going through a Bible Study with some fabulous ladies. It has been such a wonderful study, and we have all learned so much. Not to mention a great excuse to eat cookies and drink flavored coffee! :) If you are looking for a great Bible Study to do with a group, or by yourself, I recommend this one:

Kelly Minter is a wonderful writer, and she has great insight into the Word of God. We have learned to clear out the things in our lives and in our hearts that we allow to "function" as a god. It doesn't stop with removing such things. It requires us to invite God in to occupy those areas of our lives. It's all about making room for Him!!  We have learned from each other and had a great time sharing what the Lord has done in us through this study.

The Lord has taught me so much, and I can't wait for the next study with my Bible Study Buddies! I'm on the lookout for the next study series. Any suggestions??

Slooooww Down!

Typically, my life is moving in a direction of a speed that is too fast to describe. My weeks normally go something like this: work, school, grocery store, homework, church, homework, homework, and homework. I feel like I live in a tug-of-war battle between social activities and homework. Doing fun things always are more enjoyable (obviously), but there is always this cloud of "deadlines to meet" hovering over my head. In the midst of it all, it is very easy to let moments and memories fly by. Before I know it, another week has passed of going through the "motions"

Recently, I've made it a point to slow down and actually enjoy the small things in life. As in, opening the windows on a beautiful Saturday and enjoying the cool breeze blowing through the house. The small things in life like curling up on the couch with a blanket and a good book. I've enjoyed spending more time at home lately. It feels good to relax and not to have a schedule of demands waiting on me!

I'm looking forward to the holiday season. Last year, I don't think I stopped going from Thanksgiving to Christmas. It seemed like every day I was walking in the door from work to wrap a present really quick, leave the wrapping paper mess everywhere because I was in such a hurry, then run out the door to the next party. It flew by so fast. I remember on Christmas Eve, when I finally settled in with my family, I said "I'll be glad when all of this is over." My dad looked at me and said, "the holidays aren't meant to be rushed, people just make it that way." He is so true. I remember not even being able to enjoy the Christmas tree at my house because I was always in a rush to do something else. I was tempted to leave it up during January so I could enjoy it. By no means am I saying that Christmas parties and events are not fun---because I love them all!  I love to give gifts, and I love to socialize. I love entertaining and I love to have the matching dishes for every holiday. I love every season, and every holiday. I think every holiday needs celebrating, and my house needs to be decorated for every month, including Valentine's Day. But there has to be a balance.

This year, I'm not going to make it about the hustle and bustle so much. I'm going to make it about the season. I'm going to enjoy being with my family. I'm going to enjoy going to Christmas parties because that's what you do during this time of year. I'm going to go the mall and enjoy shopping rather than feeling like I'm in a race to find a "suitable gift." I'm going to enjoy my Christmas tree at night. I'm going to enjoy wrapping presents in my pajamas with Christmas music playing because I want to, and not because I have 5 minutes to get out the door to the next event. I'm going to curl up on my couch and watch Christmas movies and drink hot chocolate and enjoy every minute of it. I'm going to slow down and embrace what this season is really about. If a present doesn't get purchased, life will still go on. Because it's not about buying the next gift. And it's not about who has the best holiday attire. It's about celebrating the birth of Jesus. And He deserves us to slow down and remember that.

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who feels like a crazy woman during the holidays. But, regardless of how demanding your schedule may be, don't let the memories pass by because of the rush. And don't let the rush of the season pile on top of the real reason for such a great celebration.

So, curl up on your couch. Light a holiday scented candle. Drink some flavored coffee. Grab a good book. Play some holiday music. Read the Christmas story. Slow down a little. Enjoy the blissful moments. Every. Single. One. Of. Them.

Harvest-ful Fun!

Can someone say Slumber Part-ay???? Friday night, I went to Jessica's house and we carved pumpkins. Greyson was adorable, and it made it 10x the fun. I always have fun with this family! Here are a few pictures:

I think he fell in love with the camera this night. He said "cheese" for everything and it was hilarious!


He is so fun!

Let me just finish this point by saying that Jessica made Strawberry Shortcake cookies. Otis Spun...whatever his name is. If you have never had them. Buy them from the fund-raising people. Best. cookie. ever. It's a good thing I walked 5 miles Saturday. I'm just sayin....

Think Pink! Saturday, I participated in the "Making Strides Breast Cancer Walk." First, let me say that was the longest 5 miles of my entire life. I'm pretty sure we walked 2 miles before we reached the .5 mile marker. Maybe I'm exaggerating, but maybe I'm not. Who knows? One thing is for sure, I burned calories for a cause! :)


Jessica & I had a great time! It was freezing at the beginning, but halfway through, we had to shed the jackets!


I saw these ladies on the walk and had to take the picture. They were all "pink-ed" out. Hats and all.

Saturday night: A visit from the King! The King of Rock that is!


The S.W.A.T team was there as well to keep things under control. He was so cute!


I ate my share of 3 Musketeers. Lawd have mercy, those things are just pure fluff. And pure delicious! I just love them!


And I just love these girls. We had such a good time!

Sunday: Hallelujah Harvest Festival. I was the Cupcake Walk Lady. The kids had so much fun.


My little sister dressed up as a "pageant girl" as she called it. She looked so cute! That outfit lasted about 3 seconds. She is about jeans and a shirt--the glitz is not for her!

And who knew the SWAT team could be so stinkin cute???

Weekend Recap

I just love the fall. I can't quite put my finger around what makes it so different than any other season, but there's just something about the crisp in the air, the pumpkins, the bright-yellow mums, the little cute scarecrows, and the changing of the leaves that just warms my heart.



This weekend, I decided to have some fun with some sweet girls. I had my little sister Anna and my little cousin Grace over Friday night. We had so much fun! We painted pumpkins, made scarecrow cookies, rolled marshmallows in chocolate and dipped them in sprinkles (yum!) and even had a little dance party in between!



I must say that after doing all of that Friday night after a full day of work and school--I was wore slap out! Saturday was a schedule-free day and it was so relaxing. I did put homework off until the last minute, but enjoying my day was so worth it!

Rocky Creek. The name says it all! It says good food, good fellowship, and no diets allowed. I probably ate my weeks worth of calorie limit in hushpuppies and cheese sauce. I'm not kidding. And if that didn't do it, I went and had a blizzard at Dairy Queen afterwards. It's a requirement. You don't go eat at Rocky Creek without following it up with a blizzard. Good times!

Roll Tide! First of all, whoever decides to play football at 8 p.m. on a Saturday night is crazy. It was 11:00 in the 4th quarter! I like the night games, but watching football at midnight is what I consider morning time. However, after the loss last week, I suppose they played somewhat better. I mean, 4 sacks is better than 8. I'm just sayin'.

Sundays are my favorite day of the week. I'm not sure why I love Sunday afternoons, but I do. So, even though I was doing homework all afternoon and studying for the miserable Praxis exam (that I did not pass for the 3rd time), it was still a great day.

Today is Monday. It's a great day. Circle K coffee is divine. The faithfulness of the Father never ends. Dwell on His goodness today. THAT is a blissful moment.

To Blog or Not to Blog

I've decided to attempt the world of blogging. It seems as though I spend most of my day in front of a computer screen, so keeping up with a blog would just add more to be responsible for, right? Work involves a computer, school work always involves my laptop, and for goodness sake-social networks can eat up a whole day if you aren't careful with your time. So why would I add "blogging" to my list of duties? Good question. I've had this blog created for about 3 weeks and haven't posted one single thing. In fact, the blog was blank until about an hour ago. Anyway, I've decided to try to track some "blyss" in my life. Something to share. A smile to extend. A moment of warmth from one life to another. The daily life of Sabrina is not always profound, but it is always--always interesting-to some extent.

As I've been writing this blog, I've been trying to think of a "picture" to share since that seems to be the norm for "bloggers." But folks, my camera hasn't had a battery in it since May. Shame. Shame. Perhaps this blog will encourage me to keep batteries in my camera so I'll have a picture to post. :) After all, I love to capture memories. Especially the "blyssful" ones.

I'll leave you with a "blyssful" thought: Coffee is great. The Word is powerful. Both combined make for a great day. Go. Get. You. Some.